Already highly involved in the Middle East, European leader in multi-energy solutions GROUPE ATLANTIC participated in PROJECT QATAR between April 30 th to May 3 rd in Doha. Duriing the exhibition, Atlantic intrroduced a new range OF water-heaters specifically designed to suit the region’s conditions.   This French company produces over two million water heaters every year through its 15 industrial facilities located across the world. It has developed over time significant know-how in multi-energy applications for the household, collective and tertiary-sector markets.   GROUPE ATLANTIC has developed four new water-heater models featuring the new design: Ego, O’Pro+, O’Pro Turbo and Steatite , covering a comprehensive range of prices and especially adapted to the aggressive nature of Gulf water. The range combines the 3 technologies that have established the Group’s reputation: -The “Diamond-Quality” enamel that coats the water-heater tanks, providing them with outstanding resistance - The O’Pro technology, patented by the company, which protects both the magnesium anode and the tank. Thanks to this system, the anode’s lifetime is extended by 50%, resulting in the tank being better protected from corrosion and for longer. -The Steatite technology combines a ceramic heating element and an enamelled steel protective cover. This combination helps to provide a large heating surface, reducing scale deposits. In addition, the technology makes it possible to easily replace the heating element without having to empty the water heater. All forms of energy, whether traditional or emerging, are of interest to the company in its quest to provide the most diverse and efficient heating comfort solutions, ranging from the   thermosiphon solar water-heater, amazingly easy to maintain, to electrical convectors and towel heaters that come in elegant, high-performance ranges.      All of the products presented by GROUPE ATLANTIC fully comply with European standards. The company was the first water-heater manufacturer to obtain the ESMA agreement in the United Arab Emirates, and its products also meet the requirements of standards specific to the region (SASO, KUKAS).   Founded in 1968, GROUPE ATLANTIC currently employs over 4,200 people. In 2007, it opened a factory in Egypt that is acknowledged as the Middle East’s largest major industrial plant in this field, and has over the past 10 years developed a strong commercial presence there. Beyond the technical quality and competitiveness of its products, consultants and entrepreneurs particularly appreciate the pre- and post-sales service provided by the company’s local partners. The Group enjoys a host of prestigious references throughout the Gulf.   www.atlantic-confort.com

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40 French companies participated in the first French Pavilion led by UBIFRANCE – the French Agency for International Business Development – at the Project Qatar tradeshow between April 30th to May 3rd. After a number of yearly editions, this event is asserting itself as one of the major meeting places for construction professionals. French companies, which include the sector’s largest worldwide groups, seized the opportunity provided by this event to provide innovative solutions appropriate to the field of construction and finishing works. Boosted by winning the hosting of the Football World Cup 2022, Qatar is in the midst of developing in excess of 250b USD’s worth of projects. In 2012 alone, over 22b in new contracts is expected to be signed, mainly concerning infrastructures, retail areas and office space. France, which hosted the World Cup in 1998, enjoys confirmed know-how and possesses acknowledged technology, particularly in innovative materials, sustainable construction and smart buildings. Thanks to its creativity and to the quality of its proposals, the country has taken part in a number of exceptional projects throughout the world. The offer on show by French exhibitors at Project Qatar ranges far and wide, from architecture to tooling, to building construction, finishing works, urban furniture, public works equipment and safety equipment, demonstrating an ongoing focus on innovation. The  French delegation was escorted by various regional bodies: The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Franche-Comté, the SME Association of Rhône-Alpes (CGPME) as well as The Tooling Industry Association (OUTILEX), all of them marshalled in order to optimise the market prospection performed by the above companies in Qatar, and to a wider extent throughout the Middle East.   www.ubifrance.fr

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  Alstom has signed a contract worth approximately €50 million with the Ministry of Electricity in Iraq for the rehabilitation of two units at Khor Al Zubair gas-fired power station, located in the Basrah district, south of Iraq. Each unit is based on Alstom’s well proven GT 13 gas turbine technology , originally commissioned in 1977.   The project scope includes the upgrade of the units’ compressors and gas turbines as well as replacement and upgrade of the electrical and control systems. Equipment for the project will be produced at Alstom’s factories in Europe and at Alstom’s Jebel Ali service unit in Dubai.  Alstom is also responsible for installation and comissioning of the unit   The rehabilitation will increase the output of each unit by more than 30 MW , thus adding an extra 60 MW’s to the electricity grid, when compared to their original rating. The upgrade will also increase the power plant efficiency and extend the life of the units significantly. The first rehabilitated unit will be reconnected to the Iraqi electricity network in 2012 and the second unit will be connected before the summer peak of 2013.   This is Alstom’s second rehabilitation project signed in recent times to rebuild Iraq’s energy infrastructure. Alstom is currently also rehabilitating unit 1 of the Najaf gas-fired power station, south of Baghdad, which when completed will contribute again an output of 60 MW to the Iraqi electricity network. In December 2011, Alstom also signed a contract to build the 728 MW Al Mansuriya gas-fired power plant in the Diyala Governorate, northeast of Baghdad, expected to be in operation by early 2013.   About Alstom Alstom is one of the world’s leaders in power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure and sets the benchmark for innovative and environmentally friendly technologies. Alstom builds the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for all thermal (coal, nuclear, gas...) and renewable (hydro, wind, solar...) energy sources. It offers a wide range of solutions for power transmission, with a focus on smart grids. The Group employs over 90,000 people in around 100 countries, and had sales of €21 billion in 2010/11.   Press Contacts   Sapna Lalwani (Alstom Thermal Power) – Tel +41 79 486 3798 sapna.lalwani@power.alstom.com Website www.alstom.com

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  As it opened its doors on May 15 th at the Dubai World Trade Centre, HOTEL SHOW will be hosting an especially well-stocked French Pavilion led by UBIFRANCE – the French International Business Development Agency. A key event for Middle-Eastern and North-African hotel industry professionals, this event attracted 15,000 visitors and 420 exhibitors from 45 countries last year. That success should be further confirmed this year owing to renewed investment being observed within the sector. France is already well involved and preparing to unveil an offer that will be sharp, original and eclectic.   The region’s attraction for suppliers in the sector can be easily explained by the $6b in hotel projects hosted by the Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as by the $90b in hotel-related equipment imported by Saudi Arabia. As the world’s leading tourist destination, France enjoys a long tradition in hospitality which results in a highly diversified offer and widely-acknowledged professionalism. There will be 24 companies with equipment and solutions which can generally be made to fit any request.   Lighting will be in the spotlight. Manufacturers have no hesitation in putting traditional lighting side by side with LED lighting, whose popularity is now here to stay. As a result of their conductivity, polyurethane foam panels can be used to easily accommodate multiple wireless connectors, thus creating an endless variety of ambiences.   Household linen will be the focus of much refinement: exquisite embroidery, and top-quality fabrics available in a host of colours.   World-renowned designers will contribute their creativity to ensure that table top remains at its highest level, worthy of the reputation enjoyed by French gastronomy and which it has helped to build: cutlery, dishes, crockery and glasses coming in determinedly bold shapes that serve to sublimate the richness of the fare. Decoration will have pride of place thanks to the tradition inherited from generations of artists and craftsmen which highly contemporary creators are able to adapt into multiple shapes: floral compositions, framing, wall paintings, as well as meticulous work on metal or precious wood species. It sometimes happens that artistic expression adopts odd modes of expression, since it will even be possible to see creations made from vintage clockwork pieces. Logistics will not be forgotten, and one of the world leaders in service trolleys will be presenting its full range of solutions. The French offer will not be limited to the indoors, for it will extend to garden furniture, high-end swimming pool or car shelters, the creation of verandas, as well as designing “bubbles to live in” to be installed inside a building, on a roof or in the desert so as to design a world apart which distances itself from its environment while simultaneously respecting it.   The Pays de la Loire and the Paris Region Chamber of Trades and Craftsmanship (CMRA) have conducted a highly dynamic initiative to raise the awareness of new businesses regarding the region’s potential. The CMRA and all participants will be there, at the UBIFRANCE Pavilion, spread into Halls 5 to 8 in the Dubai World Trade Centre.

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  Organised by GL Events exhibitions, the first edition of Piscine Middle East show brings leading international exhibitors to Abu Dhabi to meet their counterparts and showcase the latest innovation from the global pool industry to discuss opportunities and challenges in the most dynamic pool market in the world. Developers, contractors, as well as service providers in the pool industry can meet companies which either supply ready-made, construct custom-made swimming pools, or both in Abu Dhabi.   The show is bringing the right balance between quality, price and qualified maintenance in the sector. With 60 international exhibitors and about 2000 visitors for this first edition, the Piscine exhibition showcases a high quality range of swimming pools, spa products and services to specifiers and buyers in the Middle East, North African countries and India. “ The exhibitors participating in Piscine Middle East form part of the world leaders. Their role is to assist local leaders by offering them the latest equipment and technologies on the market and by training them to use such equipment .” Says Mrs Noemi Petit, show director for GL Events Exhibitions.   “ The Region has seen a massive shift focused on the well-being experience, expanding on an established market for pool and spa equipment and facilities. The UAE itself has become a phenomenon for the sector ”. She added.   With the latest techniques and innovations in the field of construction for water treatment, pools and spa, Piscine Middle East is the new platform for both developers and contractors. The Piscine Middle East 2012 in Abu Dhabi is set to be hosted between 22-25 April, in order to be the principal event every year to discuss trends, opportunities and challenges in the most big spa market in the world with an estimated value of 10 billion US Dollars by annum in 2011. An educational program will is held in parallel with the show: a conference program to help professionals understand individual needs and advise them on how to handle customer relations. Piscine Middle East will train and inform, thereby offering a complete overview of the market.  

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Since the beginning of the VIE program (2001), more than 35 000 interns have been assigned abroad for 4 336 companies. The UAE is the 9th destination for VIE with 160 of them currently working in some 93 companies. Attached you can find the key figures for March 2012.

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Making life easier for you and your HR Department! You wish to: -           Strengthen your team with new talents -           Revitalize your agent network -           Prospect new international markets and strengthen your market shares   THINK ABOUT “V.I.E” A FLEXIBLE AND SIMPLE PROGRAM   What is the V.I.E? Created in September 2001 under the aegis of the Ministry for Foreign Trade to promote French export abroad, the V.I.E program is managed by UBIFRANCE, the French Agency for International Business Development.   A FLEXIBLE PROGRAM The V.I.E program allows French companies to send young European graduates, between the age of 18 and 28, on a working assignment abroad for a period varying between 6 up to 24 months, renewable once, to match your specific needs. No contractual tie between the Company and the V.I.E, who is under the authority of the Secretary of State in charge of foreign trade and as such, the V.I.E enjoys a public status within a protective framework.   A SIMPLIFIED MANAGEMENT UBIFRANCE handles all the administrative aspects of V.I.E assignment thus you can focus merely on the operational activity and be as hassle-free as possible.   ATTRACTIVE & AFFORDABLE COST STRUCTURE The French company is responsible for the cost of the V.I.E assignment and therefore benefits from tax exemption in France. National or regional financial support is available in France for small and medium companies, and larger companies are eligible for tax deductions.   Who can use it? This program is open to corporations under French law as well as French Companies which contribute to the internationalization of the economic activity of businesses. No matter : •           The size of the company •           The type of assignment •           The number of assignments The V.I.E carries out his assignment, located abroad in the host country, within a host organization which may be a subsidiary, a representative office…or any other entity tied through a partnership agreement.   What Kind of assignments are entrusted to a V.I.E?   ANY TYPE OF COMMERCIAL AND TECHNICAL MISSIONS: •             Market studies, commercial canvassing •             Overseeing of a new contract •             Production and quality control, audit •             R&D, Technical analysis, engineering •             Financial Markets analysis   FLEXIBILITY IN TERMS OF : •             Length of the assignment (from 6 up to 24 months, renewable once      within the 24 months) •             Geographical coverage (1 up to 8 countries ) •             Possibility to share the V.I.E between 2 or more companies The intern may spend up to 165 days in France to familiarize himself with the company products and services.  

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